Small Businesses and E-Commerce: A New Revenue Stream for Self-Storage Operators

Today, if you go into almost any storage facility, you'll find that entrepreneurs are filling shelves with goods rather than just people moving boxes from their residences.  This is because of the reality that the expansion of e-commerce has given the opportunity to an entirely novel type of tenant: entrepreneurs who need space to keep their products but have the funds or need for an entire warehouse.

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Although establishing a shop online is now easier than ever thanks to sites like Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify, running a business out of your living room is only sustainable for a certain amount of time.  Self-storage offers the perfect solution: expandable, adaptable, and reasonably priced space that grows with the company.  In a bid to draw in this new generation of tenants, multiple owners are trying to lure in and offering amenities like package acceptance, round-the-clock access, and even Wi-Fi.

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This is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs.  Since startups require these units to survive, they usually remain longer than typical residential tenants.  This results into higher demand, more consistent utilization, and a more powerful edge in crowded markets.

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In summary, e-commerce provides a tenant base that contributes to predictable, long-term cash flow alongside occupying units.